In a completely surprising turn of events, the American Wind Energy Association, the trade body behind the country’s wind energy industry, has called for Congress and the White House to extend the Production Tax Credit and Investment Tax Credit.
OK, no, it’s in no way a surprise whatsoever.
In a statement released on its website Tuesday, the American Wind Energy Association (AWEA) called for Congress to consider extending the Production Tax Credit (PTC) and Investment Tax Credit (ITC) through to at least 2015 as included in the EXPIRE Act.
“We call on all clean energy supporters in Congress and the White House to work to pass a two-year extension of these critical tax policies,” said Tom Kiernan, CEO of AWEA. “The three-week extension being considered by the House does not provide the certainty and stability needed to keep U.S. factories open and keep workers on the job. And if you think otherwise, try telling that to the American workers who will be laid off starting in January.”
“A three-week extension kills jobs and provides businesses little ability to create the jobs we want to create,” added Kiernan.
The call comes after congressional Republicans cut tax credits from a bill that would have retroactively renewed over 50 tax breaks — including the wind PTC — after President Obama signed an immigration executive order.
In the end, tax credits for renewable energies are most likely those first to the chopping block in any discussion between American Democrats and Republicans. However, with over 500 factories across 43 states manufacturing for the American wind energy industry, there are a lot of jobs and votes on the line that even the Republicans aren’t crazy enough to mess with.
Right?!
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